FLEETS can slash their fuel bills and help clean up the environment by joining a new Government scheme unveiled at Fleet Show 2000. The Government used the show to tell fleet chiefs about Motorvate which will officially be launched in June.

With 'green' transport at the top of the Government's agenda, Motorvate - which had the working title of the Greener Fleet Certification Scheme - has been designed by the DETR after consultation with the fleet industry from a recommendation by the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force. Motorvate's core target is a 12% reduction in a fleet's carbon dioxide emissions over three years - 3% of which must come through reduced business mileage.

The scheme will be based on an annual assessment of companies' vehicle inventory. Mileage patterns, fuel use and progress towards meeting the three-year targets. DETR representatives, including Christine Lewis, were at the show talking to fleets on 'The Hub'. She said: 'There is a strong business case for companies to improve the fuel efficiency of their fleets. A typical 200-strong car fleet could save around £34,000 a year by meeting the scheme targets.'